Striking images reveal plans to turn BT Tower into luxury hotel

This is the first look at plans to transform London’s iconic BT Tower into a 400-room hotel.MCR, the third-largest hotel owner-operator in the United States, has submitted a planning application to the London Borough of Camden for the redevelopment of the landmark, which would reopen to the public for the first time in decades.Built in the early 1960s, the BT Tower has served as a microwave radio relay, a Cold War command post, a public viewing gallery and a TV Network Switching Centre.Completed in 1964 as the Post Office Tower, the 177-metre Grade II-listed structure was London’s tallest building until 1980.The Tower became an icon of the capital during the 1960s, with public viewing galleries and the "Top of the Tower" revolving restaurant on the 34th floor.Managed by Butlins, the restaurant completed a full rotation every 22 minutes and attracted famous visitors including The Beatles and Muhammad Ali.A visual of what the base of the tower could look likeMCRBut, the Tower was closed to the general public in 1981, following the closure of the restaurant after its lease expired.MCR purchased the BT Tower from BT Group in early 2024.Now, its planning application proposes a retrofit-first conversion of the Grade II-listed Tower, together with the adjoining Podium and Howland Building.Under the plans, the Top of the Tower would reopen to the public for the first time in nearly half a century.The development would also include a new publicly accessible square, walking routes through the site, shops and cafes, and a rooftop swimming pool on Level 5 that would be open to the public.MCR says the development would create construction and permanent jobs and bring additional visitor spending to the area.“Our vision has always been to honour the BT Tower’s remarkable history while reimagining its future,” said MCR CEO Tyler Morse.“Submitting our planning application is an exciting step towards reopening this landmark after almost 50 years, revitalising the area with new jobs and open space for Camden.” The 177-metre BT Tower is a clear landmark on London’s skyline GettyThe application follows two rounds of public consultation, which attracted more than 300 people to exhibitions and generated more than 170 pieces of feedback, according to MCR.Read MoreThe project team also held a Development Management Forum attended by 50 people and met local residents and community organisations.Feedback came from residents, former BT employees, memorabilia collectors and people living near the Tower.In the first round of consultation, at least three-quarters of those who took part identified reopening the Tower to the public, restoring the building and recognising its heritage as priorities.MCR said the proposals had been shaped by feedback received during the consultation.